See the effect of molecular motion.
Things Required:
Dark food colouring
Tall, one-half pint jar of water
Directions:
Place the jar of water where it will not be moved or touched for 24 hours. Hold the food colouring container above the water and allow two drops of colouring to fall into the water. Observe immediately and then again in 24 hours.
This Is What Happens:
The drops of colouring sink to the bottom of the jar forming coloured streaks in the water as they fall. After 24 hours the water is evenly coloured.
Science Behind It:
The atoms and molecules that make up matter are all in constant motion. Though not seen by the naked eye, water molecules are moving. The small particles of food colouring are being pushed and shoved around by the moving water molecules. Given enough time, the coloured particles will be evenly spread throughout the jar of vibrating water. The movement of the colour throughout the water is called diffusion.
